Oct1

grand island.

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out on Lake Superior on a boat

traveling  around and learning about Grand Island

Grand Island’s geology is an extension of the sandstone strata of the adjacent Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Island sandstone cliffs as tall as 300 feet in height plunge down into the lake. A 23-mile perimeter trail skirts much of the island’s shoreline.

Part of the Hiawatha National Forest, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service

 only about 35 people live on the island, shared by eagles, loons, and black bears

access to the island is by ferry

then you are left to hike a few miles in to your home, lighthouse or small campground

(even more rocks to discover here!)

 Offshore from Munising, the Grand Island National Recreation Area covers approximately 13,500 acres of Lake Superior woodland. Grand Island’s glacier-cut lake shoreline measures approximately 35 miles in length and is about 8 miles from north to south.

two historic lighthouses and the original houses of the first settlers

remain on the island to this day.

—

‘we talk of our mastery of nature, which sounds very grand;

but the fact is we respectfully adapt ourselves, first, to her ways.’

-clarence day

—

grand island, pictured rocks national shoreline, upper peninsula, michigan, usa

September 2025

—

source credits: Hiawatha National Forest – Grand Island

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78 responses »

    • You would have to be very tough and hardy people to live there year round. It begin with the Ojibwe people, then an enterprising man who lived there and raised his family who created a hunting lodge and then a company for a short time, until it became part of the Hiawatha Forest looked after by the US Parks and lighthouses keepers . Now just a few people and campers and kayakers .

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    • You would definitely have to be a hardy soul. A former retired MIT professor lived in one of the lighthouses for years and restored it and built gardens and made beautiful living accommodations. He welcomed visitors and showed them around, though would’ve been a very hard and solitary life. He loved it there by all accounts. Like everyone else he would arrive by ferry and then hiking 7 miles with everything he needed to live. After his death, he left it to his daughter who has taken ownership, but does not live there.

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  15. Thirty-five people you say. Hmm, but no dunkin donuts. Hmm, very tempting. Knowing my luck . . . I’d end up living next to the one chatterbox in the group. Hmm, again very tempting. Ha, ha. Beautiful shots Beth. Your first pix made me think you were on some faraway Caribbean island with water so blue and green. Either way, love the shots.

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  25. Looks as if your next hikes (well, 23 Miles I read!) are planned for you!
    Gosh, it’s beautiful but wahaaaayyy too far and isolated to live there full time. Thanks for sharing beth

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  33. So beautiful. I never knew Grand Island was inhabited. Did they talk about any of the residents? I wonder what in the world they do there…other than enjoy nature at her finest. And I’m assuming there are no roads, or services there?

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